Swimming pool vacuum system

Abstract

A main drain system for use in a swimming pool installation including a swimming pool and a recirculating system. The recirculating system includes a skimmer device coupled to a pump and a filter assembly for recirculating the water in the swimming pool. The main drain system includes a vacuum module mounted adjacent the swimming pool, a conduit coupling the vacuum module to the pump, and a conduit coupling the vacuum module to the main drain.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A main drain system for use in a swimming pool installation including a swimming pool having a floor and a recirculating system, the recirculating system having a skimmer device coupled to a pump and a filter assembly for recirculating the water in the swimming pool, said main drain system comprising: a main drain adapted to be positioned in the floor of the swimming pool;   a vacuum module adapted to be mounted adjacent the swimming pool;   a first conduit coupled to an outlet of the vacuum module and adapted to be coupled to the pump without being in fluid communication with the skimmer device; and   a second conduit coupled to an inlet of the vacuum module and to the main drain.   
     
     
       2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the vacuum module includes: a housing having an upper end, a lower end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining a first chamber;   a conduit coupling formed in the housing in communication with the first chamber, defining the inlet;   the outlet formed in the housing in communication with the first chamber, the outlet coupled to the first conduit;   a first opening formed in the housing in communication with the first chamber; and   a cover sealingly closing the first opening.   
     
     
       3. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the vacuum module further includes a strainer basket carried within the first chamber and positioned intermediate and separating the inlet and the outlet. 
     
     
       4. A system as claimed in claim 3 further including an adjustable valve adapted to be coupled between the first conduit and the pump for selectively coupling the pump to the skimmer device and/or main drain. 
     
     
       5. A system as claimed in claim 3 further including a second chamber extending from the first chamber adjacent the first opening, the second chamber having a second opening, and a plate removably closing the second opening. 
     
     
       6. A main drain system for use in a swimming pool installation including a swimming pool having a floor and a recirculating system, the recirculating system having a skimmer device coupled to a pump and a filter assembly for recirculating the water in the swimming pool, said main drain system comprising: a main drain adapted to be positioned in the floor of the swimming pool;   a vacuum module adapted to be mounted adjacent the swimming pool, including: a housing having an upper end, a lower end, a sidewall extending therebetween, and a flange extending from the sidewall intermediate the upper end and the lower end defining an upper section and a lower section;   an outlet formed in the lower end of the housing in communication with the lower section and adapted to be coupled to the pump;   an inlet formed in the housing in communication with the upper section;   a first opening formed in the upper end of the housing;   a cover removably and sealingly closing the first opening;   a second opening defined by the flange, the second opening providing communication between the upper section and the lower section; and   a strainer basket supported by the flange;     a first conduit coupled to the outlet of the vacuum module and adapted to be coupled to the pump without being in fluid communication with the skimmer device; and   a second conduit coupled to the inlet of the vacuum module and to the main drain.   
     
     
       7. A main drain system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the strainer basket is carried within the lower section and separates the inlet from the outlet. 
     
     
       8. A main drain system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the inlet is positioned above the outlet such that incoming water flows down to the outlet, passing through the strainer basket. 
     
     
       9. A swimming pool installation comprising: a swimming pool having a bottom and side walls extending upright from the bottom;   a recirculating system coupled to the swimming pool for recirculating pool water, the recirculating system including a pump coupled to a filter system, and a skimmer device positioned adjacent the sidewall and coupled to the pump;   a main drain system coupled to the recirculating system, the main drain system including a vacuum module positioned adjacent the sidewall of the swimming pool, a first conduit bypassing the skimmer device and coupling the vacuum module to the pump without being in fluid communication with the skimmer device, and a second conduit coupling the vacuum module to a main drain positioned in the floor of the swimming pool.   
     
     
       10. A swimming pool installation as claimed in claim 9 wherein the vacuum module includes: a housing having an upper end, a lower end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining a first chamber;   an inlet formed in the housing in communication with the first chamber, the second conduit coupled thereto;   an outlet formed in the housing in communication with the first chamber, the first conduit coupled thereto;   a first opening formed in the housing in communication with the first chamber; and   a cover sealingly closing the first opening.   
     
     
       11. A swimming pool installation as claimed in claim 10 wherein the vacuum module further includes a strainer basket carried within the first chamber and positioned intermediate and separating the inlet and the outlet. 
     
     
       12. A swimming pool installation as claimed in claim 11 further including an adjustable valve coupled between the first conduit and the pump for selectively coupling the pump to the main drain system and/or the skimmer device. 
     
     
       13. A swimming pool installation as claimed in claim 12 further including a second chamber extending from the first chamber adjacent the first opening, the second chamber having a second opening and, and a plate removably closing the second opening.